During summer, more pedestrians are walking around Dallas and enjoying the sunshine. That’s why it’s important to know how to drive safely in areas of Dallas with high pedestrian traffic, so you can protect yourself from getting in a pedestrian accident. Here are four tips on how to drive safely in pedestrian areas:
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Know when to yield: In America, most of the time pedestrians have the right of way. If an intersection doesn’t have a signal, if a pedestrian has started to cross, allow them to cross first. You should also yield when pedestrians are crossing a sidewalk or entering an alley or driveway.
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Slow down: If you are driving in a neighborhood, apartment community, parking lot or downtown area, it’s important to slow down. Many times pedestrian accidents occur because the driver was going too fast and didn’t see the pedestrian in time.
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Be on the alert: When driving near pedestrians, it’s best to always assume that a pedestrian might jaywalk or jump into the road without warning. Keep this in mind when driving around pedestrians.
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Don’t pass another vehicle stopped at a crosswalk: Even if you don’t see anyone crossing, it’s important to never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk, no matter how much of a hurry you are in, in order to protect your life and the lives of others.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010, 4,280 pedestrians were killed and an estimated 70,000 were injured in traffic crashes in the United States. On average, a pedestrian was killed every two hours and injured every eight minutes in traffic crashes.
If you or a loved one were the victim of a pedestrian accident due to a negligent driver, you deserve justice. Contact the pedestrian accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Crowe, Arnold and Majors today and set-up your free, no-obligation consultation.
